Horde vs. Alliance

Before you start looking at the species within WoW's world, understand this: the races are divided among two factions, the Horde and the Alliance. Populated by humans and other races, the Alliance may appear as the good side, while the Horde—led by the orcs—would be its darker, twisted twin. This is not the case at all though, both sides are "good and evil" at times. They're just simply two very different sides of a single coin.

Why Does it Matter?

When it came to choosing your server, you either decided to join one with your friends, or you decided you'd make new ones instead. Just as picking your server type was important, so is selecting your alliance and race. For example, let's say you've a friend who's in the Alliance. If you create a Horde character, you'll be part of the opposing faction permanently. Doesn't sound like it will work out, does it? To be with your friend, you'd have to make an Alliance avatar, too.

In a way, who you choose to be will limit your options, but this applies regardless. There are some things only members of the Alliance can do, and likewise, there are tasks only Horde followers can take on. If you want to explore both worlds, you can always make a second character in the other faction later on, but that's not necessary. You can enjoy nearly everything World of Warcraft has to offer by forever playing only one race, as there are plenty of events open to members of either affiliation.